Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Olli Maatta played for JYP's U-16 squad for most of the season. In 28 games for that team, he scored 15 goals and added 26 assists for 41 points to go along with 32 penalty minutes. In 3 playoff games, Maatta picked up 1 assist.

2010-11: Maatta split the season between the D Team in the Finnish second league, and JYP's U-20 team. In 23 games for the D Team, Maatta scored 1 goal and added 5 assists for 6 points. In 19 games for JYP, he scored 2 goals and added 6 assists for 8 points. In 12 playoff games for JYP, he scored 1 goal and added 4 assists for 5 points. Maata played for Finalnd's entry at the 2011 U-20 World Junior Championship, registering no points in 6 games. Maatta also played for Finalnd at the 2011 U-18 World Junior Championship, scoring 1 goal and adding 3 assists for 4 points in 6 games. Maatta was named a Top 3 Player for his team in this tournament. Maatta was chosen in the first round, 1st overall, of the 2011 CHL Import Draft by the OHL's London Knights. Maatta was also chosen in the fourth round, 85th overall, of the 2011 KHL Draft by SKA St. Petersburg.

2011-12: Maatta spent his first season playing in North America; skating for the OHL's London Knights. He was expected to be a key part of a possible medal run for Finland at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championship but his tournament ended abruptly after an injury in the first game. Maatta was a big part of the success for the Knights, who had the league's best record and faced Niagara in the OHL Finals. Limited to 58 games due to the concussion he suffered in the WJC, Maatta scored 5 goals with 27 assists and was plus-25 with 25 penalty minutes. In 14 playoff games entering the OHL Finals, he scored 5 goals with 14 assists and was plus-11 with 2 penalty minutes. Central Scouting rated Maatta eighth amongst North American Skaters in its final rankings prior to the 2012 NHL Draft.

2012-13: Maatta signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Pittsburgh in September of 2012 before returning to London for his second OHL season. He made his pro hockey debut following the Memorial Cup and competed for Finland in the 2013 World Junior Championship. Maatta joined the AHL Penguins at the end of May and was -2 with no points nor penalty minutes in three AHL playoff games. He scored 8 goals with 30 assists in 57 games for London and was +9 with 30 penalty minutes. London captured the OHL championship, rallying from a 3 games to 1 deficit in the finals against Barrie. Maatta was +10 with 4 goals, 10 assists and 8 penalty minutes in 21 playoff games. He was scoreless with no penalty minutes and an even plus/minus in four Memorial Cup games. Maatta played five game for Finland, missing one game due to illness, and was even with 1 goal and 2 assists. Finland finished seventh.

Talent Analysis

The foundation of Maatta's game is built around consistent, non-flashy play that should make him a solid contributor in the NHL for years to come. Though not initially known for his offensive output, Maatta possesses excellent vision, hockey IQ, and puck-distribution ability, leading many to believe he has some untapped offensive potential. But steady play in the defensive and neutral zone is what Maatta does best, and with his mobile skating ability, he should develop into a solid NHL defenseman in the not-too-distant future.

One aspect of his game which needs worked on is his confidence. As a defenseman in the OHL, he is put in a lot of tough defensive matchups, which can lead to him trying to do too much. He is also streaky offensively. He also needs to continue to get stronger and fill out his large frame.

Future

Maatta will rejoin the London Knights for the 2013-14 season where he will take on greater minutes and responsibilities. Ultimately he projects as a two-way defenseman who can play top four minutes.

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Photo: Defenseman Derrick Pouliot is one of several Pittsburgh Penguins prospects who have made their NHL debuts this season. Pouliot managed three points in seven NHL games. (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

The injury bug has bit the Pittsburgh Penguins roster hard and often this season. While the organization is well off pace from their 529 man games lost from last season, they have accumulated almost 200 by the mid-point of the season, and those numbers will continue to climb with Pascal Dupuis and Olli Maatta expected to remain on injured reserve for the rest of the year.

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Photo: Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon led all NHL rookies in scoring during the 2013-14 regular season, and even led all NHL scorers during the 2014 NHL playoffs until the Avalanche were eliminated in the first round (courtesy of Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon had a huge second half of the season to pull away from the field in the Calder Trophy race. His performance in the 2014 NHL playoffs was simply the cherry on top of a great rookie season.

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Photo: Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon is the top NHL rookie in most offensive categories and has totaled 62 points in 79 games (courtesy of Dustin Bradford/Icon SMI)

The Calder Trophy race heads down the stretch and, while Tampa Bay's Ondrej Palat led all rookie scorers in the month of March, Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon has tightened his hold on the lead in the Hockey's Future monthly poll.

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Photo: Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon has just broken the record for the longest point-scoring streak by an 18-year-old that had been held for 34 years by Wayne Gretzky (courtesy of Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

With the Olympic break in February, most NHL teams played only a half dozen games or so during the month of February. But that was enough time for Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon to widen his lead in the Calder Trophy poll, being a unanimous selection as the leader in the monthly poll by the Hockey's Future staff.

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Photo: Olli Maatta has been one of the top young defensemen in the NHL this season, with seven goals and 18 assists through 58 games. Maatta also helped Finland win the bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Penguins lead the NHL's Eastern Conference with 40 wins and 84 points despite amassing over 350 man-games lost to injury. The team has suffered major injuries at every position and at one point were missing four of their top-six defensemen, two of their top-six forwards, and their backup goaltender.